Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was indeed a beautiful day. Shining sun, blue sky, fresh spring air. A perfect day for a family picnic or a beach trip. 

Twillight stood in front of Eden Academy gates, trying to push strong memories back. This was where it all started ten years ago. Operation Strix. This place was a reason why he adopted a little pink-haired girl, Anya. Why he fake-married an amazing strong woman, Yor Brair. Why he forced his daughter to study too much and why he worked as a psychiatrist in the city hospital. Everything just because this place was visited by Damian Desmond, the young son of Donovan Desmond, his main target. 

And after this great man went missing, operation Strix was abandoned, and he was forced to leave his newly-built family. He faked his own death to get away from them easily.

To his disgrace, the missing CEO, Desmond, came back and operation Strix would once again have a meaning. Except he couldn't come back as Loid Forger, a father and a husband. He was assigned a teaching position under the name Mr. Wall in the school to get close to Damian and to his Anya too. If she was still here, the bitter taste of reality hit him as he remembered the little girl struggling with studying. He couldn't imagine that quite a dumb girl getting so far as staying in this elite school for 10 more years. 

As he was forcing his memories of sweet little girl to hide, someone ran into him from behind. You're being unacceptably distracted, Twillight!

"So-sorry mister. My apologies," a young girl with long dark-brown hair bowed. 

"No worries, miss," he gave her a smile and could see relief in her eyes. That's when another girl gently hit her back. "You're so clumsy today, m'lady." A cheerful voice commented and pink hair of two buns atop her head walked around. Emerald eyes shined as brightly as the smile of this young girl. 

"Good morning, Anya! Just because you're an imperial scholar you don't boss me around!"

Twillight forgot he wasn't Loid Forger anymore and let a parent pride heat him from the inside. His daughter not just stayed in this first-class school but even got to the very top of those students. And without his help! 

Anya turned around to look him in the face and their gazes met. The shock, happiness and hatred went through the girl's face so fast, he didn't know if it had happened. I might just feel guilty about leaving them... He shouldn't. He'd left girls and women before. And he'd never felt this bad before, and he wouldn't let it affect him now either. 

The girls hurried away, and he slowly found the way to his cabinet. 

Chapter Text

Anya remembered her papa to the very details. She remembered his voice, his smile, his eyes. The voice in his head, the way he thought and talked. Loid Forger, Twilight, a feeling-doctor, a spy. He adopted her when she was four, claiming her age to six to convince this man to take her. This man was the best father she ever had in her life. At least till he didn't fake-die a few months after adoption. 

His boss, agent Sylvia, came to tell her and her mama the horrible news. Anya was at first sad, then, after reading the lady's mind, she was just angry. And she was angry for a long time. She didn't cry, she even stopped talking to Damian and stopped being cheery. For some time, she stopped studying as well. Then, she realized she would lose Becky and every reason to keep the family together, if she got expelled. 

She started studying, even Damian helped her, and with the help of a few hero deeds, she climbed up to the top. If I ever meet papa again, I can laugh in his face. His stupid daughter became an imperial scholar. 

And the day came.

Her best friend of years, Becky, ran into a new professor today. Just her clumsy Becky. Expect, as they were leaving, Anya could hear the man's thoughts. You grew up to an intelligent, fine young lady, Anya. 

She could name the inside voice. Loid Forger. She realized with shock. Papa! Happiness flattered her chest. Twillight. She frowned. He was the spy, the secret agent in the first place. Her father in the very last if even some place. He broke her heart. He broke her mama's heart. He made the world such a horrible place when he left.

No, she wouldn't forgive him that easily. She gave the man at gates a hateful look and continued chatting with Becky. 

After a while they joined Sy-on boy and his minions.

"Did you hear? We're having a new politics teacher."

"Really??"

"I wonder if it is the man I ran into at the gates..." Becky said. Anya was sure it was him. She was just full of sudden rage from meeting Twilight and couldn't focus on the conversation. 

"Anya, is everything okay?" Sy-on boy asked on their way to the class.

"Just a bad morning," she answered and walked faster. Anya could hear her friend's worries: Definitely not everything. What could have pissed her off so bad?

"Are you sure you don't want to talk about it?"

"Yes."

And that was all he could get. Everyone is so annoying, once I behave just a little bit differently.

Chapter Text

Damian was convinced something really bad happened in Anya's life this morning. She was quiet, focused, ignorant, aggressive. Almost the same as she was when... her father died. As if she went back 10 years and was going through the whole thing again. And even though he saw it once, he didn't know what to do. He couldn't do anything and Damian hated that more than anything. Being powerless.

"Boss-man!" Ewan pulled him out of dark thoughts. Damian always had to bite back a smile when the childish nickname sounded. "Let's go. Politics next."

"I wonder what the new professor is like."

Damian caught more students talking about this. Including Becky and Anya.

"I heard he was a politician himself. We can get first-hand information and experiences!" the dark-haired girl was excited, while Anya seemed to fight a great hatred.

"If he is a politician, he will teach us the way his party will prosper," the pink-haired shortie said almost robotically, and Damian found himself agreeing. As a son of Donovan Desmond, he knew about politicians his truth, and he agreed with Anya's. 

"Wow, Anya, that's a good point. Did you suddenly grow up this morning?" one girl giggled as she walked by.

"Mean," her best friend reacted and moved out of the class. 

Becky stayed behind and joined Damian's group. "Did you guys notice she's acting somehow... weird today?"

"She's always weird," Ewen claimed, and they both laughed with Emile. They got quiet, right as Damian gave them a dirty look.

"She's behaving even weirder today!" Becky stood for her truth quietly, so Anya couldn't hear them. 

"I noticed," Damian nodded. "Almost like..." He couldn't finish the sentence out loud.

"Ten years ago," the girl finished. 

"Yes. Didn't she say anything to you?" Becky just shook her head. "Maybe we should ask her after school, when there won't be any foreign ears." Becky agreed and ran back to her best friend. 

I wonder if she would really share those things with us...

 .☘︎ ݁˖

Damian was too focused on Anya to notice the new teacher entering the room. Emille had to nudge him so he stood up. 

"Young man, I'm sure the girls here are pretty, but maybe pay attention to them outside my class," the blond head at the front stated, and Damian's cheeks burned. 

"Yessir, sorry sir," he bowed his head respectfully and kicked Emille's leg under the desk for giggling. 

"My name is Horlan Wall. I will teach you Politics this semester and hopefully the next one as well. I used to be a politician, therefore I can share facts from practice and maybe make this subject a little more fun. Since I like to know who I am working with, I would sacrifice this lesson for some introduction. Please tell me your name, where you are from and maybe some political ideas if you're comfortable sharing them. So, let's start from the window row." He leaned against his desk and let the first kid speak. 

Damian caught himself paying attention to Anya only again. He tried to get into her head as if he could. He tried to figure out what could have pissed her off so much. Suddenly she was talking. 

"Anya Briar," she introduced herself and Damian was shocked at her aggressive tone. As if she was aiming for something only the teacher would understand. "Politics sucks, and all politicians are liars. None of them ever really cared about ordinary people and none of them ever lived to what they promised. Politics as it is, isn't any serious business. It's all just a game for us to watch and love or hate." 

The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife.  No one moved, and the teacher seemed to be having a stare competition with the hater-girl. She directly called him a liar. He could cause her a lot of very unpleasant problems. 

"Thank you, Miss Briar," he answered calmly. "I'm sure your reasons for this opinion are valid. However, I still hope I can let you see more of this world and maybe understand it better." Damian couldn't see Anya's face, but she sure as hell was giving the teacher a death stare. 

Since when has her idea of politicians been so brutal? She knows I want to be one, too. Is that why she never mentioned it? 

"Mister In-love at the back desk," Damian felt a nudge again and a lot of stares. "I would appreciate it if you focused on the lesson and listened to your classmates," the teacher gave him an all-telling look and Damian felt heat all over his body. Getting this embarrassed twice in one lesson! And yet, that wasn't what disturbed him the most. Everyone was looking at him. Except Anya. She was death-glaring at the teacher.

She defo knows him.

Damian shared his dream of becoming a good politician one day and highlighted how he was determined to keep all his promises and take care of everyone. Anya didn't react. She didn't even tilt her head. As if she wasn't listening, just planning on killing the new professor.

Chapter Text

Twillight was taken aback by his daughter's answer. Miss Brair's answer - she's Loid's daughter. Not yours! he hit himself mentally. What a strong mind she built. Could my early politics watching affect her? Why is she staring at me that aggressively?  And the attacking tone she used... maybe the politics are more personal to her for some reason... 

He kept calm, answered her and continued on with the rest of the class. He knew them, their families and the most probable of their political beliefs. And yet, his daughter, the one he should know best, surprised him. He felt like she was burning him with a glare. He couldn't shake it off. Does she suspect it's me? No. No way. I'm wearing a mask, I'm older, and she hasn't seen me in ten years anyway.

The next student in line was Damian Desmond. The second son of Donovan Desmond. Pretty sure he will be the direct opposite of my party beliefs. One of the best students in every class. Always focused... except now. Twillight couldn't ignore how this young man had been staring at Anya ever since the lesson started. Had my friendship scheme turned into something more? He felt a weird rage. As if he was still responsible for his little daughter and this man was a potential danger. 

The next surprise was Damian's answer: "I want to take proper care of every social class without differences." 

Unexpected for the very own son of Donovan Desmond, the attacker and ignorant.

 Just like a certain other father... Twillight jerked mentally at little Anya's voice in his head. She didn't stop staring at him aggressively. Ignorant toward his own family.... leaving by faking his own death...

A chill ran down his spine. Was he really feeling that guilty to hear his past daughter's voice in his head?

Get yourself together, Twillight! 

He pushed the annoying girl to the back of his mind and focused on the students introducing themselves. Yet he couldn't stop memories of the happy family life he had ten years ago. Have I got so sloopy, I won't be able to focus on this mission?

After the introductions, they talked about general parties and political facts till the very end of the lesson. As everyone stood up to leave, he called Miss Briar for a talk. 

"No," was her dry answer. Mr. Wall's glasses almost broke from the shock. 

"Miss Briar, may I kindly ask for a minute of your, I'm sure, busy day?"

"I kindly refuse."

"As your teacher-"

"According to the Eden Academy student's rights and obligations, I have a right to refuse to talk to a teacher outside the class, if it might limit me in any way or be unpleasant to me as a person. Paragraph three, line fifteen, point two, sir." The last word was said so despised, Twillight lost track of his mimics. She was right. He knew the school rules, but he didn't expect her to even look at them.

Chapter Text

.☘︎ ݁˖ Damian  .☘︎ ݁˖

"Oh wow," Damian reacted when they walked out the door. "What was that about?"

"He's an asshole," the second son jerked at the shamelessly said insult to the teacher's address. "And I won't give him more of my attention than is necessary. I need to get the energy out before I punch someone again." Damian unintentionally moved a little further from her. "I'm going to the gym right after school. Wanna join?" 

"Sorry, I have a date today," Becky answered. "Wanted to tell you earlier, but you've been behaving so weirdly today!"

"Sure, enjoy the date," it was the first smile she'd given since the first period. Damian, surprised, realized she was now looking at him. "What about you?" 

Damian quickly considered all the pros and cons. He was in the public gym with her before. For someone so short, she had a lot of strength. He loved to watch her there. "Yea, why not."

"Don't be perverse," she muttered, as if she could read his mind and went on.

• • •

Jeeves agreed to take them to the place Anya asked for and they both sat on the back seats. 

The silence was deafening. 

"Are the windows darkened?" Anya asked suddenly and Damian stayed a little off guard. What? 

"Yes, miss," Jeeves answered. "No one can see you from the outside."

"Great, thanks." Damian almost exploded as she started undoing her shirt. 

"WHA-WHA-WHAT ARE YOU-" 

"Jeez, don't yell," she gave him an annoyed look. WHAT IS SHE DOING. WHAT THE HECK?!?!? SHE CAN'T JUST TAKE HER CLOTHES OFF IN MY CAR LIKE THAT!! Anya took off her shirt, exposing the white top she was wearing under it. "I'm changing. And I'd recommend it to you as well. Once those people see the fancy clothes, you're an easy prey."

"Miss, where exactly are we headed?" the butler was rightfully concerned. And so was Damian. He wasn't wearing ordinary clothes under his uniform and he wasn't changing in front of his crush!! 

"Kepler's gym. And the fight club. If you want to go with us, I'd suggest you to change into something more... casual, too. If you have, something."

"Master Damian? Are you sure you want to go there?"

The answer took longer than any of them liked: "Yes. Yes, we're going there." He had to look out of the window and cover his face when his companion was taking off her skirt. Of course, she wears shorts under the mini-skirt! Who doesn't, right?!?! 

"Jeeves? Can you please stop here for a moment?" she asked suddenly, and the butler parked the car at the side of the road. 

"I'll sit in the front, so you can change, Mr. Emberassed," she said, rolling her eyes, and before Damian realized it, she was sitting in the passenger seat. How??? 

"This is absolutely under my league," he muttered loudly as the thin wall between the front and the back of the car pulled up. 

"You wanted to go," she answered carelessly. Yeah, because I naively thought we'd be going to the normal gym.

He could hear her giving Jeeves instructions about where to keep the car and how they would walk down a few blocks. For safety reasons, his butler and bodyguard in one agreed. It was weird to listen to them. As if they were colleagues. 

Just when he was tuckling his t-shirt, the car stopped and the motor turned off. 

He got out to find Jeeves in gym clothes with messy hair and his friend with hair in two cherry buns atop her head and a backpack lazily over one shoulder. The change was kind of scary. Expected from his bodyguard, but that girl was like a spy or something. 

They quietly walked down a few streets. They got a lot of bad looks, but what concerned Damian and his assistant more was how many people greeted Anya as an old friend, and she greeted them back. Most of these people looked like homeless or criminals, if not both. 

They stopped before an old sad building with the red name 'Kepler's gym'. 

"Be quiet unless they directly ask you something. Don't start fights, don't show off."

"Simply be invisible," Jeeves said and Anya nodded. Damian knew her warning was directed at him. Being invisible wasn't in his nature. 

They followed the young pink-haired girl into the new place. Jeeves went last. 

The room was filled with the smell of sweat and blood. There were overall three people and one of them was a cashier or something. A dark-haired guy with slim eyes, some scars and a lot of bruises looked up from a porn magazine, visibly annoyed to register three unusual people. 

"Hey, Dingo, how's it going?" Anya started with a confident smirk. 

"Ahh, Chihuahua! Welcome back, my queen!" He stood up and shook her hand. Then they hit each other's chests and spat on the ground. What. The. Hell. Is she a part of a gangster fighting club? If this gets out, we will have enormous problems in school. 

"Back to get some energy out?"

"Like always," she answered and Dingo titled his head toward guys suspiciously. "Yeah, I brought some friends. Some gym accessories they choose for... an hour?" She reached out with cash.

"Friends, you say..." he gave them both a long, dirty stare. "Your friends are my friends, my queen. Keep it. They break it, they pay it."

"Your personal records included?" she teased and hit his shoulder. "Thanks, man, I owe you one." She turned to face Damian and his butler. "Use whatever you want, and it isn't being used by anyone else. I'm going for the box bag."

She freshly walked to the opposite corner of the room and pulled herself up to a small podium with a box ring and a giant red bag. A burly, tanned man was sitting there, drinking water. Damian didn't like to leave her alone, but knew it would be useless to stand there and watch. He went for the weights.

Chapter Text

˚.⋆✶ Anya ✶⋆.˚

Anya greeted Bulldog. They exchanged a few phrases as usual. 

"You still using the bag?"

"Nah, it's all yours, my queen. What about a match after a warm-up?"

She huffed: "I won't be easy on you today."

"Ohh, is it big life things happening what I hear?" 

"Just an annoying old man," her eyes darkened, and she threw her first punch, absolutely losing the world around her. Only Anya, the red bag and Twillight/Loid/Papa/Mr. Wall. All these assholes will cause so much pain to this bag and to her opponent today.

"I want to stay with them forever!"

"I love my papa and mama!"

"Papa will always save me!" 

What a naive little girl.

"Papa, will we be family forever?"

"Sure, dear. Once a family, always a family."

Liar! The 80kg bag waved in the air. She knew men in the gym were watching her. They always were. But she paid it no mind now. 

▪︎ • 10 years ago • ▪︎

"I'm sorry to inform you, your husband has tragically passed away of blood loss after an aggressive patient attack." The ginger lady in a black dress and a big hat said without any real empathy. Mama fell on a couch, covering her mouth with her hands. Anya felt tears running down her cheeks. She hugged her mama tightly. "I am Mr. Forger's law advocate. In his last will, he leaves you this house, his bank account, and according to the agreement with his past employer, you will get monthly life support." The lady talked and talked. No one listened to her, of course. 

What a heartless lady! Anya decided to peek into her mind. What would she find? Empathy? Annoyance? Sadness? 

Twillight was restricted to the opposite side of the state for another mission. The agent's mind was just as loud as pap's. Operation strix finished, unsolved.

Anya's small hands grabbed her mama's clothes even tighter. Papa is alive! 

Except he wasn't. Twillight was alive. Loid Forger, papa, died. He indeed stopped existing. 

Anya then ran out and started kicking the lady. "You liars! You are all just liars! Heartless idiots, who care about themselves only!" Yor picked her up to stop her from damaging the woman's clothes.

"There, there. I'm sorry, Madam, it is hard for her. I'm sure you understand. Could we please talk about the things he left behind later in private?"

The evil Sylvia Lady nodded and left.

• • •

"Twillight was restricted to another mission." 

We have never been more to him. 

The boxer bag was flying from side to side, and she was punching, hitting, kicking and moving out of its way, as if it was a real opponent. 

"For the mission, for the mission, for the mission..." 

Job was his life. Not family. 

She still remembered the funeral they had held. An old man'd been sitting on a bench nearby, watching. Not an old man. Just one heartless spy, Twillight, watching the funeral of his self. He'd even had the audacity to show up there! To watch them cry and do nothing! How cruel! No one'd recognized him, except her.

She'd wanted to run toward him and tear that mask off his face. But she'd stayed to hold her mama. Yor'd kept her and learnt how to cook properly for her. She had been Anya's real mom all along. Unlike Anya's dad. He had never been real. 

"What a fine intelligent lady... miss Brair, can I have a moment?... Maybe I can get close to her once again."

She knew all his thoughts. He didn't care. It had all always been just for the mission. 

How dares he! As if nothing happened!

She kicked the boxer bag so hard it tore off the chain holding it up and flew to the wall. 

Anya knew she was being watched. Every man in the room had eyes on her. Damian was terrified and Jeeves was protectively in front of him. To secure him from me.

She let out a tight sigh and looked at the party of men watching her with interest and fear from the benches around. Jeeves jerked when their gazes met. I'm definitely looking mad. She aimed her gaze at Bulldog. "Still want a match?"

"Still have energy?" he smirked. That woman is insane! I might die today! He stood up and threw his small towel at his sports bag. He snapped his knuckles. "Let's go, Chihuahua!" He jumped up there. Men started cheering. Jeeves was considering leaving during the fight and Damian was terrified, yet interested. 

Let's have fun.

Chapter Text

"Master," Jeeves leaned in to whisper to Damian, "shouldn't we leave while we can?"

"No way! I won't leave her here just like that!" he whispered back angrily, carefully watching the match that had just started. He believed Anya would win, but was still worried. He was prepared to jump in if anything didn't go the way it should. 

Even though the pink-haired teenager was indeed giving hell to that man. She was short, yes, but fast, strong and smart. He could see logic behind a lot of her moves and madness in her eyes. Maybe she would calm down and talk. 

"Master, I highly suggest leaving as soon-"

"Going somewhere?" a burly European stood up before them with arms folded on his chest. 

"Well, we..." the butler started.

"We are staying. Shh, lemme watch." Damian hushed. Anya got hit in her face once and in the stomach once, but she stood up quickly and gave the man's face a real pain. Then she kneeled him into the balls and threw a good punch to his chin. The giant fell to the ground and the men cheered, counting. 

" Five... four... THREE... TWO... ONE... YEESSS!!" 

Anya helped her opponent to stand up and get to a better place to rest. Damian lost sight of her when three gym guys surrounded them. Oh, shit.

When he almost prepared to die, a sweet voice echoed from behind them. 

"Boys," Anya sang, "please, let my friends go. Today's not the day for newbie fun." They growled and walked away to their accessories. Damn, they're fucking scared of her!

"Dingo, sorry for the bag. Would that be enough?" she handed him a pretty pack of cash. 

"Guess it will do," he said, and went through the money. "Wouldn't you like to join the club? You could make big money, dear."

"Thanks for the opportunity, but I can't. Getting hit in the face once a semester is okay, hit every month would become suspicious." She answered calmly. "But if I could suggest, I can send my mom over for a few nights. Bet on her, she'll always win."

The Dingo-man laughed: "No mama club, dear. We invite just rarely and not just anyone."

"I know, and I'm sorry, but no. Thanks for today," they repeated the greeting, and she even called to the back of the gym: "Byyyyeee, guyyysss!"

"Bye, Chihuahua!" they said back as a class of kindergardeners. This girl literally trained a city gang to fear her!

"Let's go," she smiled and walked out the door. Damian and Jeeves followed. "They're nice guys, just a little aggressive."

"You are insane, you know that, right?"

"One has to be careful when people know you're in an elite school. It's good to have good contacts everywhere."

"What are you, some kind of police?" Damian let out a barking laugh.

"Just an Eden imperial scholar living without a security army. The good thing is, I ask for help, they give it. So, if any gang ever kidnapped you and gave you a chance to call one person," she made a phone icon with her tumb and pinky finger out, and gave him a wink, "you know who can help." 

Damian felt heat in his cheeks. Was she really suggesting exchanging phone numbers? 

"Miss Anya," Jeeves started formally, making sure to keep a distance between Master Damian and the violent girl. "I have to admit this was indeed an interesting experience, but I'm sure you'll understand when I ask you to sit in the front seat close to me on the way back."

"What?! Jeeves-" Damian started when Anya held her hand up. He found himself shut up instantly. No way he was going to argue with her after what he saw today.

"I sure understand, sir. I'm glad you are still offering to take me back home." She bowed respectfully as they walked. 

"Jeeves, you're paranoid," Damian protested. "If she wanted to hurt me, she would do it right away."

"It gives me peace of mind, as your protector, master."

"That is a stupid excuse," he muttered and Anya giggled. "What? You don't want to sit with me?" 

"I'd love to. It's just so weird that you're not scared," she said, smiling idly. "People usually run when they find out."

"Well, I'm not people," he felt a smile on his own lips. She smiled honestly this time. 

Chapter Text

During the ride, Miss Brair chatted with Jeeves and sometimes included Damian as well. He wasn't happy to be sitting alone in the back, but he knew his butler was just doing his job. Jeeves stopped by the building unit. 

"Thank you so much, both of you. Wouldn't you like to come in for a tea or some hot cocoa?" 

"It's very kind of you, miss, but Master Damian has a dorm bed-time."

"It's in three hours, sir. He's seventeen for god's sake."

"She's right, Jeeves. I can make my own decisions!" Damian leaned forward. "Pleeeaseeee!" 

Master Damian spends a lot of time with this girl, but has never been in this kind of society. Maybe it would help him get a better knowledge of the middle class... He sighed. "Fine, but let me park the car, I'm going with you." 

"Yay!" Anya let out a sweet sound. 

How can she be so adult and so childish at the same time? Jeeves smiled to himself, not knowing he shared the thought with his master. Anya led them upstairs. 

"Ohh, you don't even have a house," Damian commented rudely. 

"Master," Jeeves gave him a parenting look.

"Don't worry about it. He never watches that tongue of his." Anya giggled. 

"Ohh, Anna, dear, you're home so late?" A small granny looked into the girls' face. 

"Hello gran Brabara," Anya greeted, ignoring the misspelling in her name. "I was out with my friends."

"Oh, hon, what a handsome young man. Come here, dear." She waved at Damian and Anya had to pull him a little closer. He was obviously used to meeting beautiful rich people only. Jeeves felt a bit ashamed for his master's manners. 

"Ohh, what a pretty young face. What's your name, dear?"

"D-Damian Desmond, madam."

The small lady let out a laugh. "Madam, I like that. Here, have some cookies." She pushed candies into his hand and patted his cheek. "Such a nice boy, Anna, really." 

"I know, thank you, grandma," Anya bowed and nudged Damian to do the same. The butler in the background followed. "Have a good night and say hi to grandpa."

"Sure, sure, darling. You too." 

They moved on, one more set of stairs and Anya took out her keys.

 "I didn't know you had grandparents," Damian said in an attempt to have some small talk. 

"I don't really. They're our neighbors of eleven years, I believe. A very nice old couple. They help me with studying sometimes." The lock clicked and Anya opened the door to let out a weak shriek. Jeeves stepped forward but saw only their big dog jumping at her. 

Chapter Text

"Ohh, hiii, old man! Did you miss meee?" Anya scratched her dog behind its ear. It is a giant! I think she mentioned him years ago... how is he still alive? 

"Mama! I'm homeee!!" their host called and then turned around and quietly added: "Please, come in. If you feel comfortable, leave your shoes here." She pointed out not a big rug with two pairs of booths and five pairs of fluffy slippers. Weirdly, there were man-sized ones, too. They couldn't give up on memory after such a long time? 

"Welcome home, Anyaa!" A dark-haired slim lady in red came out of the kitchen and hugged her daughter. "Gosh, what happened? Did you get into the fight again? Have you been attacked? How much does it hurt? Should I kill someone?" 

"Mamaaa, I'm okaaay. Don't embarrass, me!" She pushed her mom away with a smile. Just now woman paid them any mind.

"Oh, we have guests? Welcome to Briar's! I'm Yor Briar, Anya's mother." Damian would never have guessed they were related, but the way they behaved and smiled at each other was convincing enough. The way she asked all the questions and ran to her as the first and the most important thing made Damian's chest ache with jealousy.

"Thank you, for having us," Jeeves bowed and Damian followed the example. "I've brought some baking as thanks." 

When did he get those??? 

All three of them exchanged their shoes for slippers. "Excellent! Would you like some tea, coffee, cocoa?"  

"Cocoa, please!" Anya said cheerily and Damian wondered if this was how a normal family behaved.

"I'd like one, too," he asked politely, and Jeeves asked for the tea. 

"Come, make yourself comfortable. I will just put away my stuff, and I'm right back." Jeeves, of course, had to ask if Yor didn't want help. She pushed him to the couch and said: "My dear, today you are the guest, so let me take care of you. Just sit and relax." 

Anya left to change. Just now Damian looked around the flat. It was quite... nice. Flowers in vases and on window seals. Family photos on walls and regals with books. He noticed Anya's drawings framed as well. It was a small place but somehow a lot more of a home than his. 

"So, Damian, Anya wanted to invite you over earlier. Why did you agree so suddenly?"

Might have double fall in love with her today. "Uhhh, I think... I have more time today..."

"Ohh, is that so? You sure study a lot, right?"

"Yes, I'm trying hard to stay at the top spots in the class."

"Anya mentioned you often lose your sleep because of it," Mrs. Briar seemed pretty concerned talking about it. 

"Did she?"

"You see, she might not say or show it, but she really cares about you, Damian."

Damian felt redness in his face. "R-really?"

"Now, dear," she sipped her tea and looked at him seriously, "studying is important, but don't sacrifice your life for it." She seemed to know what she was talking about. "When you think you will know the whole world from a book, you never realize how much of the real world you miss. Not until the very last moment."

"You seem to know," Jeeves noted, and Damian felt a pinch of betrayal. Wasn't he just scoffed for his manners?

"My brother studied for years without a break. He works hard and still studies more and more. And he has no other life. No friends, no partner, no other goal than protecting me and himself. Isn't that sad?"

"Mama, don't overshare Yuri's life," Anya scoffed and sat down next to Damian. "But yes, he wanted to be so intelligent, he ended up absolutely dumb." 

"How can you end up dumb when you study all the time?" 

"You see, master," Jeeves started, "some things aren't in books. You have to just learn as you go."

.☘︎ ݁˖

And they talked. Cookies were soon gone and mugs empty. 

"Thank you for having us, we should go now," Jeeves stood up. Damian found himself upset. He wanted to stay longer and talk and laugh longer. He couldn't experience anything like this at the dorms. Maybe he could stand by more often, if they wouldn't mind...

He stood up too and both girls walked them to the doors. "Thank you for coming! It was a very nice evening," Mrs. Briar bowed, and both men bowed back while putting on shoes. "We will be happy to welcome you anytime and more often."

"Thank you, madam, we enjoyed ourselves as well," the butler said and opened the door. 

"Yes, it was very pleasant, thank you," Damian added, looking right into Anya's emerald eyes. Very, very pleasant

"I will walk them down," Anya said, and quickly put on her shoes too. 

"Don't be long," Mrs. Briar smiled and wished the visitors good night. 

"I'm happy you came in. Thank you, it really means a lot today," Anya smiled. 

"Today?" Was it some special day?

"Yes, it's exactly ten years since Loid left. Mama is always so sad on this day. You really made it better."

"Oh, sure." Damian didn't know what to say but he hated this kind of silence. How weird she called her father by his first name. "You miss him a lot, huh?"

"Kind of, but not really. Mama takes it harder."

"One would say she'd shake it down after a decade..."

"Maybe, but I think it proves how much she loved him." 

"When my father went missing, all memories of him were like wiped after a few months," Damian thought aloud. No one seemed to miss him really. We didn't see him a lot anyway...

"Some fathers are just easier to love," Anya said gently and hugged him. It was a shock, but he didn't know he needed it this much. He returned the hug with such strength he himself didn't expect it. "It will be fine." 

Thank you, Thank you. He couldn't get himself to say it out loud. She loosened her grab and Damian had to let go of it. It seemed too soon. 

"Hugs are nice, right?" She smiled brightly and gently fisted his shoulder. He nodded and returned the smile. Her eyes shined like real emeralds under the streetlight and her hair seemed so magical. He couldn't help but think if she was real or just a perfect little doll. Her cheeks were lightly red, her lips full and surely soft, her eyes tired and yet so full of life. I love you, he thought. I love you, again, I love you, he couldn't stop thinking and couldn't say it aloud. 

Anya gave him such a sweet blushy smile as if she had heard it. Her lips opened, barely... 

Jeeves coughed for attention. Damian felt his face going instantly red and looked toward their car. He forgot the butler was still there. "We have to come back before the dorms close, master."

"Yes, sure, of course, let's go," he answered quickly and sat in the car. Anya stood outside waving till they turned the corner.

"So," Jeeves started with a curious tune.

"Shut up," Damian barked. "And do not tell mom!" His butler laughed. 

He didn't laugh like this often. Maybe the visit to Briar's was good for him as well.

Chapter Text

"Miss Briar, one word," Mr. Handerson stopped her in the hall. Damian stood nearby to wait for her, yet far enough not to hear anything.

"Yes sir?"

"You had the first politics class with Mr. Wall yesterday, is that right?" 

"Yessir," Anya's cheerful expression disappeared in a moment. 

Oh, she really has something going on. Henderson thought. "Well, he mentioned you didn't trust him as a teacher and refused to talk with him after class."

"The teacher of politics should be neutral. Only that way we can get truly valuable information on the whole political system. Mr. Wall is a politician. It's too risky he would influence our ideas of this world." 

What an elegant answer!!! "Let me assure you, miss, I personally hired Mr. Wall. His past political activities do not affect his teaching abilities." 

"Let me assure you, sir, I know that man and I have not a one reason to trust him. If you excuse me," she respectfully bowed and left, hearing only the teacher's admiring thoughts. Such an elegant answer!!! When did young miss become so diplomatic?

"What did he want?" Damian asked, thinking as her sparkle died again.

"To give Mr. Wall a chance," she said, annoyed. 

"Hm, I think you could try that..." Jeez chill, he thought when Anya shot him an aggressive glance. "Or tell me what's going on. Do you know him personally?"

"All too well, and I would appreciate it if you didn't mention it ever again." She had an advantage over him ever since he found out her actual strength, so she used it. 

"Okay, sure." He was more scared of her than she originally thought. It made her kind of happy. 

Mr. Wall and Mr. Handerson tried to talk to her in the hall again a few times but she always excused herself out of it. And always played with Twillight's thoughts a little, just as back then in class. She'd figured out she could talk to people through her thoughts a few years ago. She didn't really use it often, just for playing, but now she could make Twillight feel watched and insecure by his own mind. How funny was that? 

She knows who you are. And she hates you... Anya whispered while Mr. Wall tried to explain something about his political past. You left a seven-year-old kid after you made her believe she had a home. Anya felt a little pain in her chest saying all that, but panic and ache in her ex-papa's head made up for it. You broke her fifth family.... How can you call yourself a hero if you kill happiness and break families without blinking like this? 

After that, he didn't talk to her again.

✶⋆.˚

The next lesson of politics was two days later. Anya enjoyed burning the teacher with her glare and pulling out their family memories out every time he paid her a thought. 

"Miss A- Briar, what are your thoughts on this set of systems?" Mr. Wall asked and everyone in class looked at her, still remembering her answer from the last lesson. The pink-haired girl bit back a smirk coming from the teacher's mistake of her name.

You used to call her Anya, your daughter, your child....Anya!

"I don't think it's my place to judge this since I myself can't think of anything better on the spot. However, I believe someone someday will come up with something more beneficial for the middle or even bottom class and women."

"And women?" the teacher asked, acting out interest. In fact, he just wanted to find out if the girl was onto him by her body language. 

"We can't vote, we can't become firefighters, police officers or even politicians and a lot more different jobs. Women are getting paid less for the same work as men, and we are degraded in 90% of schools. There is a lot to do for women's rights yet, sir." The girls in class started whispering.

"Hm, I never gave much thought to this, to be honest, miss. Very well, thank you." Maybe Yor had a hard time taking care of Anya when I left... he wondered after the young girl's answer.

After you cruelly broke their hearts, Anya added, satisfied with Twillight's mind getting less space about politics and more about his hearless behavior. The lesson went on and Anya continued playing with his thoughts. 

She was pulling out her own dusted memories to realive them in Twillight's head. It made her sad and angry, and she took it out on him. It was all his fault after all.

But doing it for the whole lesson was tiring and when a bell ringed, her head was spinning. She forced herself to cut off everyone, including Twillight, and took a minute to breathe. 

"Are you feeling dizzy again, Anya?" Becky asked, concern in her face. 

"Ye, just gimme a sec."

"Miss Briar?" the teacher addressed her again, carefully. She shot him with a murderous look. Didn't she make it clear she wouldn't talk to him? "Are you okay? You seem pale."

She stood up and unblocked him. The number of thoughts was overwhelming, but she forced her mind and body to stay calm and handle it. Your mind was never quiet enough to rest and feel something, was it? She thought more to pinch him than actually claiming it was true. To her surprise, Twillight's mind was suddenly quiet, only this sentence flying around like an echo. He scratched his chest and got his thoughts to process right away, pushing Anya's influence to the back. 

"I'm fine, thank you," she answered, well knowing he was thinking about everything else now. The girls walked out of the class and before closing the door, Anya could hear a part of Twillight's thoughts: Was I really so heartless? 

I might have gotten a little too far with that one, Anya considered, but didn't pay it any more mind. 

Chapter Text

Mr. Wall came into his empty flat. It was too big for one man and too luxurious for his liking, but he was a first-class teacher with a first-class payment. It was unusual tidy for an older single man. The neighbors whispered about him, but nothing he would stress about. 

"His wife died, and he couldn't move on."

"He owns a great company and never had time for a wife"

"His wife left him" (for various reasons. Depending on who you ask)

Of course, he wasn't any of it. He was a spy, and, as such, he couldn't afford to love. Even if he could... He was over forty now. Women didn't exactly run after him. 

He sat on too soft sofa and sighted. The life of a secret agent was getting harder every year. 

Forty...

The time surely had passed fast and, although he had more partners for more missions over the years, no one could even compare to his Yor. He spent just a few months in a fake marriage with this woman, but he found it impossible not to think of her every time he had a romantic or sexual partner for the sake of any mission. 

And now, when he was told to go back to that school and maybe even to his family from ten years ago, his mind was betraying him. 

He couldn't control his thoughts when he saw Anya Briar in school. His little daughter, Anya from the Forger family. She pulled out Loid Forger, a loving father and husband, who had died long ago and left his wife and child for a snack to destiny. The pink-haired girl was running around his mind reminding him how they could have ended and how they ended. How he'd hurt them and how much they still suffered. How he'd failed as a father and a husband he should have been.

 Even though he - or officially his past employer - was sending them money every month, he felt abnormally guilty. 

Two weeks ago, Handler told him to get close to his ex-daughter Anya as a teacher and if it didn't work he was allowed to "come back from death". Which was a very ugly job. Hard to keep a secret and hard to explain. Hard to get on well with the people he betrayed this way. 

Hard. But not impossible.

He would do it if he had to. And he most probably would have to. Anya seemed to hate politics and him as well, even though he couldn't get his mind around why. He considered she could find out he was her papa a few years ago, but it was nonsense. No one could see through his masks. They said kids had a special bond with their parents and, even after years, they could recognize the one who raised them. But he didn't raise her. He played her father for just a few months. She couldn't build up such a strong bond with him for that time, right? 

Well, anyway, if I don't get to her in the next few weeks, I'll have to rise from death.

Chapter Text

Sylvia Sherwood was going through that file for at least a tenth time. Their agents found crooked doctors who had been doing illegal experiments on animals and humans for decades. It was horrible. They got many files of their experiments. A lot of them were unsuccessful - in other words: the object died. They kidnapped, tested and experimented on young adults, even kids. 

Sylvia only went through the successful or abandoned files. Test subject 007. A girl. Started at the supposed age of three. Sylvia shuddered. How cruel and unhuman. What worried her even more though, and at the same time, the reason why she refused to use her best agent in this case, was the photo of a small, she guessed, four-year-old girl. A crying girl with emerald eyes and pink hair with small horns decorations. The exact same girl her best Agent, Twillight, adopted for a mission ten years ago. The girl he built a dangerously close relationship with. 

Her stomach twisted at how cruel their jobs were. She set Twillight at the case but didn't give him all the information. She didn't give him most of the information. His mission was to get close to a student called Anya Briar - or return to the family he abandoned ten years ago - to get close to Damian Desmond and therefore to Donovan Desmond again. A man who appeared after being missing for 10 years, and the doctor's documents were found at almost the exact same time. Too many coincidences. 

She sipped her tea and sighed. She was old. Good for work in the office only. And Twillight wasn't getting any younger either. He was asking for fewer and fewer missions, especially since he was set for operation Click. He had been told it was reviving operation Strix. She might have overestimated him. She supposed he would find out soon, but he seemed to be really getting to his age. 

At the last meeting, he shared his suspicion of Anya, figuring out he was her father years ago. Nonsense. He's feeling guilty and that's unacceptable! He admitted it himself and swore to hold ahead of himself. Except it wasn't that easy to control the emotions you once let show. 

She looked at the file again. 

Subject proves to be successful. It gained the telephatic power of mind reading. Usage: unknown.

"It" Sylvia repeated to herself. Only God knows what the little girl went through. 

Chapter Text

Weeks went by and every politics lesson, Mr. Wall had with Anya's class his thoughts were more and more emotional and more and more distracted. Anya still refused to talk to him outside the class, and she stared at him angrily from the moment he walked in to the classroom till the second he left. 

I don't like this, he thought to himself. This has too many holes. Twillight thought out how Loid Forger would rise from the dead. But even if he would, how could he be sure the woman would still remember and want him? They weren't married, it was all just for their sakes. Which he didn't have now. And since she hadn't officially remarried or dated anyone, he guessed she didn't either. 

He thought out exactly 78,990 possible scenarios and prepared for them. And yet he couldn't shake the feeling of coming failure. 

You detonated an atom bomb, infiltrated the mafia, and survived the west-east war. And you are scared of coming home late for dinner. He scolded himself. Ten years late.

Chapter Text

"Mr. Wall is determined to talk to you. It's even suspicious."

"It was suspicious from the very start. I'm telling you that man is an asshole." Anya claimed and her keys clanchet in the lock. Damian was at their place every Friday now. She liked it and so did her mama. The place was finally getting a little happier again. 

"Where do you even know him from?"

"I just do," she opened the door, and Bond jumped at her to lick her face. "Hey, old man! How are you doing?" She scratched him behind his ears with both hands. "I'm home!" 

Anya, a way to familiar voice, sounded through her mind. She looked up so fast her neck cracked. 

No.

Loid Forger was sitting on the couch next to Yor, both drinking coffee and relaxed as if the past ten years were jus​t a dream. "Welcome-" Yor started but didn't finish from the shock as Anya ran toward them at light speed and hit Loid in the face with her full force. An unexpected attack threw him off the couch and the floor gave him a second hard punch. You got weak, Twillight, he scolded himself.

"Anya!" her mama called and came close to her ex-fake-husband to help him. Anya burned with rage and was prepared to hit him again and again. She wanted to. She wanted to fight him, to beat him. To watch him bleed and struggle. 

"Anya, let me..." He started, but the pink-haired girl was throwing another punch. Yor caught it in the air. 

"Anya, please calm down," she said as sweetly as ever. 

Die! Anya sent a message to her past papa. Die, traitor! You left us for a stupid mission! And you're back for a stupid mission! We never meant more to you!!

Anya aggressively pulled her hand out of mama's grab and turned on her heel. She grabbed Damian's hand and pulled him into her room. Before closing the door, she gave Twillight one more hateful glare. "That fucker better leave before Damian goes home," she said to mama and shut the door to face shocked Damian. "What?" she barked. 

"That was... your pops." 

"Yes, motherfucker asshole! How dares he to show up here as if nothing had happened?!" She yelled and hugged her huge punguin plushie. A memory of papa giving it to her flashed through her mind and she threw him to the ground. 

"He wanted to explain it..." Damian said carefully. Anya knew that he had always been jealous of her relationship with her parents, and that Loid Forger was, in his eyes, an amazing father who deserved a chance. But she wouldn't give it away that easily. She wouldn't give it away at all. 

"He has nothing to explain. He left us and made us believe he was dead for TEN YEARS and then just appears as if nothing ever happened?!"

"Maybe there was something else? If you would-"

"I am NOT giving him a second chance, Damian," she said strictly. "I know what happened, and he doesn't deserve it."

"How do you know?"

"I just know! And my personal family life is none of your business." 

"Sure, sorry," he bowed his head in embarrassment. 

"Shall we study?" They agreed to work on her math and his classical languages. He nodded and took out his books. 

Chapter Text

After a while of tense studying, the atmosphere got lighter and Anya calmed down. They talked between lines and laughed as usual. He liked this kind of studying. Anya was telling him weird jokes in classical languages and even weirder memotechnical helpers. And yet, as weird as it was, it helped him. He felt weird for being better at everything except classical languages before. Now, even though he wanted to improve, he felt kind of bad for being almost as good as her. As if he was going to steal the only thing she was good at from her. 

"Don't worry, Sy-on boy," she gave him a smile, "I won't leave my first post." As if she could read my mind. Love is weird.

 .☘︎ ݁˖

"You know, Anya," he started awkwardly, while packing his stuff. I love you. Be my girlfriend! "You are a pretty girl..." This isn't right, idiot!

A knock sounded on the door and Anya gave it an angry look. "Would you like a tea or cocoa?" Mr. Forger asked. Damian thought how weird it was to hear the question in the man's voice.

"FUCK. OFF!" Anya yelled and threw a book at the door. Damian jerked. Ow, my. She really is mad.

His friend sighed and stood up. "Sorry, I didn't want to scare you." She picked up a book. "You should go home, before I lose it. Did you tell Jeeves to pick you up at some specific time?"

Damnit! I can't confess now. She's pissed and... dang!  "Uhh, at seven, actually." 

Anya checked her alarm clock. "It's just half past five. Wanna go outside?"

"Ehh sure, why not." 

"Nice!" She opened the door. "Mama, we're taking Bond for a walk!" 

"Oh, what a coincidence!" smiled Mr. Forger in his coat and with their dog on a leash. Anya raged at him and aggressively took her dog back. 

"You PLANTED MY ROOM?!?!" she yelled and Mr. Forger seemed to panic for a second. Wait he panicked?? He actually did?!

"Anya, calm down," Mrs. Briar started but Anya was raging.

"WHAT KIND OF PERVERT ARE YOU?! Adopt a little girl, give her home, then LEAVE and come back as if nothing ever happened?!! And even put listening devices in her room! You're an absolute psycho!"

"Anya, I'm sure he can explain, if you-"

"No mama! If that man is still here, when I come back, I'm staying at Becky." She declared and walked out of the flat. Damian panounced for a second, took his shoes and, with a bow, ran after his friend. 

"W-wait, I need to put my shoes on!" He looked at her feet and surprisingly found trainers. When did she put those on???

Chapter Text

"I'm sorry, Loid," Yor said, sadly putting away dishes. "She's having a hard time accepting the past. I will talk to her later." 

"You've grown a lot closer in the years, I see," Twillight said, letting himself fall onto the couch. He still had his coat, hat and shoes on. 

"That happens when two people have each other only," she answered calmly, focusing on the dishes. "I remember how we fought a lot with Yuri before we lost our parents. And we fought with Anya a lot after you... disappeared. She hated you back then, claiming you left us." Twillight could feel a knot in his stomach getting tighter. Calm down! It's normal for kids to react like that when someone dies! But even though he was becoming suspicious, guilt was rising in him with every second passing.  

"She seems to still hold on to that. Give it time. Are you staying the night?" 

Is she really offering it just like this?! I just appeared out of thin air and she lets me stay the night? Is she so sweet or so dumb?

"No," he shook his head. "It wouldn't do any good. I have a place to stay at. Except that, I don't want neighbors talking bad things about a random man staying at your apartment."

"Our marriage was never officially broken, you know," she said, as if he was never dead for her. "There would be nothing wrong with it. But, of course, however you decide." 

"You didn't remarry even after those years..." he started. "Our marriage was fake, but you could have found anyone for your sake..."

"Useless. As for getting my brother's mind at ease, he was almost happy when you died. And I had to take care of Anya. Everything else was... secondary."

"You learnt how to cook. Keeping the house spotless as always. Learnt Anya's studies to help her... You've grown so much and yet," he gave his wife a long stare, "you haven't really changed a bit."

"I have nothing to change on me. Anya has grown into a strong woman, though. She is close to being stronger than me." She sat down next to him. "And she has a lot stronger mind. You have a lot to be proud of, Loid."

Twillight tensed when she leaned her head on his shoulder. 

"I still can't believe you are here." 

Twillight kicked himself mentally when he realized he was caressing her shoulder. I'm getting old. And sloopy. This family made me weak. No wonder Handler refused to set me on this one at first. 

/̵͇̿̿/’̿’̿ ̿ ̿̿ ̿̿ ̿̿

The door opened slowly and a soft thumbs of Bond's run echoed around the small apartment. Loid opened his eyes, finding he had fallen asleep. But when... Yor's head was still on his shoulder, her regularly breathing, lost in dreams. 

His gaze met Anya's. The girl grew so much. She was almost an adult. And her stone glance talked for her spirit. She had indeed became a lot stronger. 

Now she was looking into his eyes as if she wanted to stab him. As if she had already stabbed him and now was watching him bleed out. After what felt like hours, she finally closed the door and stepped inside. 

Still giving him the same killing glare. In the half-dark of the room he would almost mistake her for danger. "Damian asked me," she said, her voice icy cold, "to talk to you." She came closer, almost too close to him. Loid didn't want to move, still brightly aware of Yor asleep on him. "So I decided to tell you the truth, and you will tell me the truth." She walked around the tea table and was standing so close to him they could feel each other's breaths. "But Mama can't hear us." She whispered. Twillight was shocked at how fast her tone and mimics changed. He watched his little girl reach down and pick up Yor like a little kid, and she took her to the other room. SHE'S STRONG!

"Yes," she said, sitting in a chair across him. "I am indeed strong and absolutely sure I can beat you." 

Loid noticed the way she sat. Like him. Like a man. Legs spread, elbows on knees, serious look in the eyes. Yor didn't teach her that! 

"No, mama didn't," Am I thinking aloud? Behold of yourself, Twillight!

"Since we are all liars," she continued, "let's, as one liar to another, tell our little truths. For they all might be lies."

"Anya, I had an incident and amnezia..."

"Cut that shit!" she raised her voice, but didn't yell. "We both know very well it was no accident nor an incident. It was all planned for Operation Strix was abandoned." H-HOW?! She can't know anything about it! "And for the very same reason, you came back. Because Damian's father is back. And we have no other purpose than just to be your dolls in a stupid game! A-gain." 

Twillight kept his calm: "You've always been half-your-mind in the spy movies..."

"And you've always been whole-your-mind in the job."

"I'm a psychiatrist..."

"You're a manipulator."

"Dear, you-"

"Do NOT call me that," she glared aggressively. "Either we tell the truth or I'm throwing you out, and we NEVER talk again." 

If I tell her what she wants to hear, being it the truth, it will stay nothing more, just a story in her head. His daughter - former fake daughter - rolled her eyes.

"Alright, Anya," he said seriously. "I see you figured out some things yourself. I, indeed, am a spy," he added in a dramatic pause, shocked by Anya's calm behavior. "Obviously, you can't tell anyone."

She sighed: "I've known since I was seven. And maybe try to accept I'm ten years older now." 

As a psychiatrist, he should know how to communicate with people at every age, but for unknown reasons, this was hard. He couldn't convince his mind to see Anya as the young woman she became. He still saw the little girl who loved peanuts and spy shows. 

"You knew... of course. Well, you still can't tell anyone. I really needed a family for my cover back then..." He expected Anya to cut him. To attack him. To say something so he doesn't have to continue. He hated that what he was about to say was absolutely true. It shouldn't be.

She kept quiet.

"But later I got so used to both of you, you meant more to me than any mission. I fell in love with Yor and I loved - and do love - you like my own. I would do anything to protect you both." He fell silent, watching Anya's face for any changes. She didn't move. Her eyes didn't twitch or got wider. Her hands weren't shaking, and she didn't change her pose. She was waiting. But what for? What else was there to say? He failed as an agent. He made a strong bond with people who might endanger him. Who had endagnered him before. And now he revealed his true job to a kid. 

"And yet," Anya said coldly. His speech didn't affect her at all! "You left us for another mission. And now you're back for the very. Same. Reason." She believed all she was saying, and she was convinced it was true. And, unfortunately for Twillight, she was right. But he really loved them. And it was wrong, but he did. Didn't she believe him even a little bit?

"Anya-chan-"

"I'm not your daughter nor friend, Mister," she barked. "I'd appreciate formal addressing." Something in Twillight's chest felt so heavy at that moment. As if he was shot in the stomach and all his ribs were being broken and repaired at the same time. This hit way harder than it was supposed to. 

"Alright," he swallowed emptily, "Anya-san, you mean the world to me, and believe me, I want to be here. With you. To protect you. This time not just for the cover."

"But the cover is the main reason you're back. I'm not playing a doll in your game again, and I won't let mama do so either." She stood up and walked toward the door, giving him a clear sign. It's time to go. 

He stood up with a sigh and walked toward the opened door. "Thank you for having me," he greeted traditionally, words feeling like poison on his tongue. 

"Thank you for visiting," she answered, and shut the door as soon as he walked out. 

That fucked up.

/̵͇̿̿/’̿’̿ ̿ ̿̿ ̿̿ ̿̿

I can still convince Yor. She's sweet and extremely naive. And she can talk to Anya later.

Twillight sighed heavily under the shower. He shouldn't feel guilty of this thinking. It was his work. He had to work it out. Get it together. 

He blew up his cover for nothing. Even though she was a kid. Even if she would try anything, no one would take her seriously. They wouldn't take her seriously as an adult woman either. 

"There is a lot to do for women's rights, sir," she'd said. And she was, unfortunately, right. Again. He, as a man trained by a woman, and an ex-husband of a strong wife, believed women were at the same level of respect as men. Except he was one in a few. 

 He shut the water off. Yor it is then.